Sofa bed construction



March 24, 1959 w; N. NORMAN SOFA BED CONSTRUCTiON 6 Shegts-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 March 1959 w. N. NORMAN SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 V Even Z01 WZ/ZZ lam/V Norma/n1 w. N. NORMAN 2,878,491

' SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION March 24, 1959 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 a uh ll w. N. NORMAN SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION March 24, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 fizz/em? i VZ ZZ 304% 11/ [Ki /many 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 In V6 70507 W. N. NORMAN SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION March 24, 1959 Filed Feb. 15, 1956 fliliiliav 11/. A ar/mm March 24, 1959 w. N. NORMAN 2,873,491

SOFA BED CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 15, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 f fzlZam 11K AMP/mm Q 7 7 W KM Unite 2,878,491 SOFA sun CONSTRUCTION Application February 15, 1956, Serial No. 565,617

4 Claims. (Cl. 37)

This invention relates to a sofa bed construction.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an article of furniture which permits it to be used alternately asa sofaorasabed. J

Another object is to provide a sofa bed which is operated by a simple mechanical linkage whereby when the sofa is connected to a bed the seat member is elevated and moved forwardly and the back member is pivoted to a horizontal position and the side arms are simultaneously moved forwardly and horizontally straightened so that the upper surface of the seat, back and side arms are on the same horizontal plane.

Another object is to provide a sofa bed in which the length of the sofa is not increased when converted to a sofa bed, that is the side arms are not extended beyond their original sofa length position.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses. i i

Fig. l is a perspective view of the sofa when in a sofa position. i i

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of same when in a bed position. i

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the linkage mechanism with the cross bar connecting same.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the frame and linkage taken on the right side of Fig. 1 in sofa position.

Fig. 5 in a view on an enlarged scale taken on lines 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the frame and linkage taken on the right side of Fig. 2 showing same in bed position.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view taken on lines 77 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a front view taken on lines 88 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 99 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of right side of sofa bed with parts broken away to show the link mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a plan view taken on lines 1111 of Fig. 3.

As best seen in Fig. 1 the sofa bed generally indicated by the numeral 12 comprises a back member 14, a seat member 16 and two oppositely arranged similarly constructed arms 13 all supported 011a base generally indicated at 20 provided with legs 22. A mechanical linkage connects the various parts of sofa bed so that same may be positioned as a sofa as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, or may be positioned as a bed as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 9 in which the top of the side arms 18, seat member 16 and back member 14 are substantially on the same horizontal plane.

The stationary base framework generally indicated at 23 and best shown in Fig. 6 is formed of a pair of lower side frame members 2 6joined by front and rear cross frame members 27 and 2 8 to form a substantially rectangular shaped frame base in planviewQ Rigidly secured .to the rear of the side members 26 and extending up- ..wardly therefrom are a pairof rear vertical frame members 29 which are joinedtogether i by a rear .cross frame member 30 rigidly securedthereto.

' Horizontally inclined 2,878,491 Patented Mar. 24, 1959 2 upper side frame members 31 are rigidly secured at their rear to'the vertical members 29 and at their front to ver tically inclined front frame member 32 which in turn are rigidly secured at their lower ends to the lower side frame members 26. The foregoing framework is preferably made of wood and forms the stationary base structure. A plurality of legs 22 are secured to the lower side mem bers 26. i The framework for each of the two movable arms generally indicated at 18 and best shown in Figs. 4, 5 and'6 is the same and one will be described although the same reference numerals will apply to both arm frameworks. Each arm framework whichis made preferablyof wood comprises a lower horizontally disposed frame member 35, an upper frame member 36' forming the arm rest which is parallel with member 35 but spaced therefrom and extending rearwardly of frame member 35. The upper and lower frame members 35 and 36 are rigidly secured together at 'the front by a vertically inclined front frame member 37 andan intermediate vertically inclined frame member 38. The arms as just described 'areconnecte'd by a linkage mechanism presently to be described and are movable'with respect to the stationary base framework when the sofa is positioned to form a bed and vice versa.

The seat member of the sofa generally indicated at 16 and best shown in Figs. 4 and 6 is formed of a framework of plywood'boa'rds 44 joined together which extend across the sofa and between the arm members. Secured thereto and extending downwardly therefrom is a front cross frame member 45 having short side frame members which have legs 47 secured thereto'and extending downwardly thereof. As Well un d'er'stood'in the art, the foregoing seat framework is provided with the usual'springs (not shown) and covered with upholstered material.

The'back member 'of the sofa generally indicated at 1 4 and best'shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 9 is formed of a framework of plywood boards 50 suitably secured together and extending across the sofa and between thearm members. Secured'to the opposite sides 'of said boardsare triangular shaped side frame members 51 joined by a cross frame member 52 secured thereto. The side frame rne'mber 51 has each secured thereto an inverted L-shaped'metal plate 53 which abuts against an adjusting bolt on thearm frame as willbe subsequently described' As described with respect to the seat framework, the b ack framework i's provided'with the usual springs andcovered'with'upholstered material. Both the seat member and back'memher are connected together by a pair of pivotally connected connecting plates '54 and 55 and which 'are likewise connected by a mechanical linkage, now to be'described, to the stationary base framework. The connecting or supporting plates 54 and 55 which are made of metal each have offset portions 54a and'55iz respectively and are pivotally connected'together adjacent saidofiset portions as at 56. Connecting plate 55 has an inturned flange 57 and through suitable fastening menibers passing through saidfiange the connecting or hinge plate 55 is secured to the backseat frame 50 which rests on said flange. Connecting or hinge'plate 5 t similarly has an intujrned flange 58 on which is supported the seat frame members 44 and which is secured thereto by suitable fastening members passing through openings in said flange. A set of connecting or hinge plates 54 and 55 are secured on the opposite sides of the seat and back frameto hingedly join the two together so that the adja cent ed'ges'of each are in spaced relation as shown in to be secured to and supported on'the stationarybase framework. Since eachsidertba't" is the 'right'la'nd left side, are the same only one side will be described but corresponding parts will be identified by the same reference number. I

A side rail 60 is provided with an upper outwardly turned flange 61. The front portion of the side rail has a cutout 62. Each side rail 60 is fixedly secured to the lower side frame member 26 of the base framework by suitable fastening members 63 and is supported on an inclined plane sloping towards the rear. The top flange 61 is spaced from the top of the side frame member 26.

Pivotally secured as at 64 adjacent the rear of the rail is a first link member 66 which is shaped as shown with the lower end of link 66 extending below the side frame member 26. The upper end of link 66 is pivotally con nected as at 68 to the back connecting plate 55.

Pivotally connected as at 70 to the side rail 66) forwardly of the first link 66 is a second link 72 with the upper portion of said link pivotally connected as at 74 to the back supporting plate 55.

Pivotally connected to the lower end of link 66 as at 76 is a connecting link 78 whose front end is pivotally connected as at 79 to a forwardly extending connecting link 80 and to an upwardly extending third link member 81. The upper end of the third link 81 is pivotally secured as at 82 to a rectangular shaped plate 83 having an outturned flange 84. The plate 83 is fixedly secured by suitable fastening members to the lower side frame member 35 of the movable side arm.

A fourth link member 86 is pivotally secured at its upper end as at 87 to the plate 83 and is pivotally secured at its lower end as at 88 to the side rail 60. A lever 89 of the shape shown is pivotally secured as at 90 to the rail 60 and the lower end of said lever extends below the rail 60 and is pivotally connected as at 91 to the forward end of connecting link 80. The lever 89 is ofiest inwardly as at 92 and its upper end is fixedly secured to a cross supporting bar 93. The cross supporting bar extends across the length of the sofa and is similarly secured to the lever 89 on the opposite side of the sofa. The cross supporting bar 93 is adapted to rest under the seat frame member 44 to support the seat When the unit is positioned in bed position as shown in Fig. 9.

The connecting plates 54 and 55 support latching means for the purpose of latching the unit in sofa sitting position. Pivotally secured as at 94 to the connecting plate 54 is a latching bar 95 which extends rearwardly across plate 55 and has a latching notch 96. A latching bar 97 secured to plate 55 confines the movement of latching .bar 95 and is engaged by the latching notch 96 as seen in Fig. 5. A leaf spring 98 secured to the plate 54 as at 99 is curved and has its opposite end resting on the top of latching bar 95 to normally urge the latching bar downwardly within its confined limits of movement. When the unit is in bed position as shown in Figs. 6 and 9 the latching member 95 is not in latching position, however when the unit is in sofa position, the notches 96 engage the latching bar 97 on the plate 55 to lock the parts in the position shown in Fig. 5. The leaf spring 98 urging the latching bar in latching position.

In bed forming position as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 9 where the seat member and back member are moved to a horizontal plane it will be seen that the cross bar 93 moves up to support the seat, thus the seat is supported adjacent the rear on the supporting plate 54 and forwardly thereof by the cross bar 93.

The back member when in a horizontal position is supported adjacent the front thereof by the supporting plate 55 and the balance rearwardly thereof is supported by the engagement of the inverted L-shaped plate 51 on the back extension 51 with the adjustable bolt 100 secured to the rear of lower frame member 35 of the arm. By

adjusting the bolt 100 the horizontal positioning of the seat and back members may be adjusted.

The framework of the structure including the, back,

of the seat member.

4 seat and side arms is suitably covered with upholstered material as is well understood in the art. Furthermore a pair of upholstered cushions 102 are positioned on the seat member.

As best shown in Fig. l the top frame member 36 of the movable side arm has a cutout adjacent the rear thereof so as to fit around or embrace the sides of the back member when in sofa position and likewise to embrace the corners of the back members as shown in Fig. 2 when the back member is in a horizontal bed position.

It will be noted that in sofa position, the third and fourth links 81 and 86 are in parallel arrangement and are connected to the side arms supporting plates 83 and are inclined towards the rear and serve to position the side arms of the sofa in an inclined position. When the sofa is moved to bed position the links 81 and 86 will be pivoted to incline towards the front therebymoving the side arms forwardly and horizontally straightening the side arms from their former inclined position. The front of the side arms are thus not elevated from their sofa position but the rear of the side arms are moved upwardly to straighten them out and position the entire side arm on a straight horizontal plane.

The operation of the unit will now be described.

When the unit is in the sofa position the parts will be as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. In this position the back member is at an inclined vertical plane and positioned rearwardly of the seat member. The back supporting plate 55 is positioned upwardly and the furthest away from seat supporting plate 54 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and the latching member which is secured on plate 54 is in latching engagement with the latching bar 97 to lock the linkage mechanism in the position shown and to lock the unit in the sofa sitting position. The spring 98 maintains the latching bar in this position until released. In this position the frame structure 44 of the seat is supported on an inclined plane at the rear thereof by the connecting plates 54 and is supported at the front thereof by the legs 47 resting on the lower side bars 26 of the base frame member. In this position the transverse bar 93 is moved to its lowered position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 out of contact with the underside of the seat portion. The seat is firmly supported.

In the sofa position the lower frame members 35 of the side arms are resting on the flange 61 of the inclined rails 60 to firmly support the side arms on an inclined plane.

When it is desired to move the unit into a bed position the parts are moved from the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 to that shown in Figs. 6 and 9. In this bed position the linkage moves the parts so that the seat portion and the back portion 50 are moved to horizontal planes.

The latching member 95 must be disengaged from latching engagement with the latching bar 97 and this is accomplished by manually engaging the latching member 95 and releasing it as by urging it upwardly against the tension of the spring 98 to clear the bar 97 and when same is cleared any slight manual pressure against the back member which will cause the back member to pivot to a horizontal position and move the linkage mechanism from that shown in Figs. 4 and 5 to the position shown in Figs. 6 and 9. When the back member is moved to the horizontal position the linkage mechanism will cause the supporting hinge plates 54 and 55 to be pivoted to assume the position shown in Fig. 6 where the flanges 58 and 57 which support the seat and back are on the same horizontal plane. As will be seen the supporting hinge plate 54 is elevated from that shown in Fig. 4 thus elevating the rear portion Simultaneously through the lever 89 the transverse bar 93 is moved to its elevated position to engage the underside of the rear frame 44 to support same in a horizontal plane. While supporting plate 55 pivots the back member and supports the inner or lower portion of the back member the inverted L-shaped plate 53 on the triangular shaped side member 51 secured to the back member engages the adjusting bolt 100 on the arm frame 35 to thereby support the back member rearwardly of the supporting hinge plate 55 in a horizontal plane. Thus the seat member and the back member are both supported on a horizontal plane adjacent each other. By adjusting the adjusting screw 100 the limit of movement of the back member can be controlled and adjusted with respect to the side arms. Simultaneously with the movement of the back and seat members aforesaid the linkage mechanism will move the arm supporting plates 83 forwardly as well as to a straight horizontal position and since the side arms are connected to said plates the side arms will move correspondingly. While the frames of the side arms are moved forwardly as well as to a straight horizontal position from their rearward and inclined sofa position it will be seen that the top of said side arms are flush or on the same plane with the top of the seat cushions 102 on the seat member and with the back member so that a continuous top flat surface such as shown in Fig. 2 is presented so that same may be used as a bed. In this position the latching member 95 is not in any latching position as shown in Fig. 9 but the parts will be maintained in the position shown by the relative weight of the parts and will not automatically move into any sofa position. However, to convert same into a sofa as previously explained it is merely necessary to manually engage the top of the back portion and move the same upwardly at which time the parts through the linkage mechanism will again be positioned in the sofa position, as previously explained.

Briefly described, when in a sofa position the seat member is positioned at an inclined angle and below the top of the side arms with the back member extending at a vertically inclined angle and extending above the side arms. However in converting same to a bed the seat member rises and moves forwardly and the back member swings outwardly to a horizontal position and the side arms are moved forwardly as well as to a straight horizontal position so that the tops of the back, seat and side arms are all on the same horizontal plane.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A sofa bed construction in which the structure may be arranged as a sofa or alternately as a bed comprising a base frame, a seat and back members, means for pivotally connecting said seat and back member together, first and second link members pivotally connected to said base frame and to said back member, a movable side arm, a third link member pivotally connected at its upper end to said side arm, a fourth link member pivotally connected to said side arm and to said base frame, a lever pivotally connected to said base frame and supporting a transverse bar, links connecting said first link and third link and lever so that same are simultaneously operated.

2. A sofa bed construction in which the structure may be arranged as a sofa or alternately as a bed comprising a base frame, a seat and back member, means for pivotally connecting said seat and back member together, first and second link members pivotally connected to said base frame and to said back member, a movable side arm, a third link member pivotally connected at its upper end to said arm, a fourth link member pivotally connecting said side arm to said base frame, links connecting the lower ends of said first and third link members so that movement of said back member from an inclined vertical position to a horizontal position will elevate said seat and position said side arms so that the top of said seat member, back member and side arm are on the same horizontal plane for forming a bed.

3. A sofa bed construction in which the structure may be arranged as a sofa or alternately as a bed comprising a base frame, a seat and back member, means for pivotally connecting said seat and back member together, first and second link members pivotally connected to said base frame and to said back member, a movable side arm, a third link member pivotally connected at its upper end to said arm, a fourth link member pivotally connecting said side arm to said base frame, a lever pivotally secured to said base frame and supporting a seat supporting member, links connecting said first link, third link and lever so that the movement of said back member from a sofa position to a bed position will simultaneously move said seat supporting member under said seat to support same in a horizontal position and position the top of said seat member, back member and side arm on the same horizontal plane.

4. In a sofa bed construction in which the structure may be arranged as a sofa or alternately as a bed comprising a base frame, a seat and back member, pivotally connected seat and back supporting means secured to said seat and back members, a rail secured to said base frame, a first and second link pivotally secured to said rail and to said back supporting means, a movable side arm, a third link pivotally secured to said side arm, a fourth link pivotally connecting said side arm to said rail, a lever pivotally connected to said rail and supporting means to engage the underside of the seat when in bed position, links connecting said first and third links and said lever to cause same to operate simultaneously.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,888,471 Robbins Nov. 22, 1932 2,620,020 Austin Dec. 2, 1952 2,694,814 Doner Nov. 23, 1954 2,701,373 Fox Feb. 8, 1955 2,719,985 Lichter et al. Oct. 11, 1955 2,789,291 Nock Apr. 23, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 860,474 France Jan. 16, 1941 

